Roberto Herrera | Voice of OC

Herrera: The Failed Santa Ana Jail, Addiction to Fast Cash and Failed Businesses

Opinion

By Roberto Herrera | August 1, 2017

Roberto Herrera, who works in Santa Ana as the Community Engagement Advocate for Resilience Orange County, argues that Santa Ana City Council members need to get out of the jail business and start investing in other strategies that enhance public safety.

THIS JUST IN:

1/17

Judge Nathan Scott has issued a temporary restraining order that was requested by the Orange County Deputies Union to block the release of any misconduct records on use of force, sexual assault and lying while in office. Stay tuned for details.

1/17

The OC courthouse initial investigation is complete and there is "no further threat to (the) courthouse or personnel," according to Orange County Fire Authority PIO Captain Larry Kurtz. The suspicious package will now be analyzed at the OC crime lab.

1/17

One of the individuals impacted is a sheriff’s deputy, who is the person who opened the package. The other three people are civilians. Still no evacuations at the courthouse, though a portion of the third floor is closed.

1/17

Hazmat and bomb squad personnel are currently testing to see the nature of the substance. Now four people are found to have been exposed — two are en route to hospitals and two will be transported soon. None of the injuries appear to be life-threatening.

1/17

Update on the OC Courthouse situation: The suspicious package is a cardboard box that was found in courtroom C-53, that was not in session at the time, according to Orange County Fire Authority PIO Captain Larry Kurtz.

1/17

Two other people, who are not affiliated with law enforcement, were also affected but are being treated on scene. Multiple adjacent court rooms are closed and there are no other evacuations at this time. The Hazmat and bomb squads are presently investigating the package.

1/17

Around 2:30 p.m. there was a suspicious package located in one of the court rooms at the Orange County Courthouse on the third floor in the west wing, said OCFA PIO Carrie Braun. A deputy started experiencing medical distress and is being transported to a hospital for treatment.

CIVIC EVENTS CALENDAR »

Opinion »

Santana: Sheriff’s Union Seeks to Block Public Access to Misconduct Records

Today, Voice of OC, Southern California Public Radio and the Los Angeles Times will go into court together to oppose a request by the Orange County Deputy Sheriff’s union to block release of misconduct records on use of force, sexual assault and lying while in office.
Santana: Angels Get to 2020 in Anaheim

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim get a lease out clause extension to 2020 on a 5-2 vote from Anaheim city council members.

Inside the Newsroom »

Voice of OC Ambassadors Know Journalism Creates Change

NEW → Sign up for free civic news text alerts

Press Releases »

Cox Charities Awards $65,000 in “Innovation in Education” Grants 23 Orange County Schools Received Funding
La Habra Councilman Tim Shaw Selected as New OCTA Chairman
Perpetual Wars: Lessons Learned from the 50th Anniversary of Nixon’s War in Vietnam